January 25, 2013

• Are You a Runner?

  Are you a runner? Oh, I am not talking about those health-conscious folks who are out on the streets before it is even light out getting their morning exercise. I am not talking about people who run races and compete in marathons. I am talking about the kind of person who has developed a pattern of running away from anything in their life that may prove to be boring, difficult or painful. So, are you that kind of runner?

  There are plenty of reasons to run. Some might even seem like good reasons. I mean, who enjoys being hurt? Who LIKES to suffer? It is hard to see a thing through when things get complicated. But, if we run away from every conflict, I think down deep, we don't respect ourselves very much. We admit we are weak, and running is so easy! However, there are things we will never learn if we do not face our giants. There is a maturity that will never be ours until we stand our ground, reach up to God for strength and wisdom, and just..... TOUGH IT OUT!

  The Bible talks a lot about finishing. Throughout life, we can easily start all kinds of relationships, projects, commitments and jobs. But, it is how we finish that truly matters. I have met many people whose pasts are littered with all kinds of unfinished business, failures, offenses, unforgiveness and broken relationships. Not a very good "track record," huh?

  There is an old saying;"Winners never quit, and quitters never win." I am not sure I totally agree with that, because from time to time, it is wisdom to walk away. But, I am not talking about those times. I am talking about the times when something we started with a lot of enthusiasm  begins to seem a bit boring or starts getting difficult, so we just give up. Or, people put demands on us that make us feel insecure, so we choose to back away. We work hard to stay in our comfort zone, but that rarely brings much growth. Should we base all our decisions on only choosing to do things that we WANT to do -- things we FEEL like doing? How mature is that? Some things you do because they are just the right thing to do!

  When our kids were young, we stressed the importance of following through with commitments. I remember once our oldest had promised to babysit for someone, but then she got offered the chance of going someplace fun with friends and wanted to back out. We said no. Another daughter wanted to take music lessons, but after a few weeks, she didn't want to do it anymore. We insisted she continue for at least six months. Our girls were taught that if you give your word, you stay with it.

  We see people who have run out on their marriage, their children, their debts, their reputations and their call. We seem to live in a culture where, more and more if things get hard, the thing to do is run. This is selfish, immature and irresponsible.

  With God's help we can make it through the hard times. With God's strength and wisdom we can work through our issues and finish what we start. Let's not be runners! Let's be people of integrity who keep our word!

  • 10:42 am
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